Kent & Medway ICS now part of a Committed Nationwide Effort to improving Mental Health, Autumn 2023

The Kent & Medway Integrated Care System (ICS) has recently announced that their application to become a signatory to the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health has been successful.

The Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health is a programme which aims to enable local and national action around preventing mental health problems.

Crafted by Public Health England (PHE) and supported by UK Government, The Programme also works to promote good mental health as well as recognising the active role played by people living with mental health problems.

Becoming a signatory to the Programme is seen as the best way to reduce health inequalities and preventing future harm based on the findings of local and regional need around mental health.

From the launch of the Kent & Medway Listens project (of which several local VCS groups collaborated to deliver across the Medway & Swale area of this project), to the creation of the Better Mental Health Network - a collaboration formed from over 300 VCSE, health and public organisations – the Kent & Medway ICS have made extensive efforts to become a signatory.

Following an extensive review and assessment from the public mental health panel of the UK Government’s Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) which was held recently, the ICS’s application has been successful.

Now reconised as a signatory, The ICS have stated they will continue their efforts and commitment to improving mental health in the region.

With the added benefit and support from the national collaboration of other official bodies who work to create resilient communities, the ICS say they will continue their work to reduce health inequalities and improve the mental health of residents in Kent and Medway.

The Kent & Medway ICS are also looking for new members to join this working group, which meets on a quarterly basis in addition to their wider Network meetings.

To find out more about joining the group, you can contact Sophie Kemsley, Senior Project Officer at The Kent Suicide Prevention Programme Team, by email at Sophie.Kemsley@kent.gov.uk.

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